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Nov 27, 2013 at 12:01 AM

SOMERSET — Matt Fernandes said that almost anything a resident needs can be found at businesses in Somerset. From groceries, to restaurants, car repair and clothing and many other items there are small businesses that sell everything that people in Somerset need for their lives.

George Austin

SOMERSET — Matt Fernandes said that almost anything a resident needs can be found at businesses in Somerset. From groceries, to restaurants, car repair and clothing and many other items there are small businesses that sell everything that people in Somerset need for their lives.

"It's all here," Mr. Fernandes, a member of the Somerset Economic Development Committee, said as he stood in his business, Wave One Technologies on County Street. "The Economic Development Committee encourages all residents to shop local, not only on Small Business Day, but everyday."

Nationally, Small Business Day is being observed on Saturday, Nov. 30. In Somerset, the Economic Development Committee has organized a local campaign called "Shop Local" for that day. Mr. Fernandes said the Economic Development Committee is encouraging businesses to offer specials that day. He said the shop local campaign has been well received by businesses in Somerset.

"All the business owners that we spoke to thought it was a great idea," Mr. Fernandes said. "Basically, we're trying to unify the businesses in town to sthop, eat and spend locally because after all, if we don't support our local businesses, who will."

The idea for the "Shop Local" campaign came out of a conversation that Economic Development Committee member David Costa had with Dottie Auclair of Auclair's Market when they were talking about the American Express Small Business Day.

"I just think we should be aware that businesses are paying the highest taxes in the town and we have to help them," Mr. Costa said. "We need our businesses. The businesses are important to the neighborhoods and to the community. They give back to us."

Mr. Costa said people who go into Somerset businesses on Nov. 30 should ask if they have any special offers for that day.

Mr. Fernandes will be offering 25 percent off any service at his business on Nov. 30.

"The small business owners are our neighbors and the money that you spend in these small businesses, statistics show, stay in our town," Mr. Fernandes said. "When you spend money locally, it stays locally."

Mr. Fernandes said the "Shop Local" campaign is like a morale booster for the businesses.

Mr. Fernandes said the downturn in the economy has affected all businesses in town, but he said they can't give up and have to move forward in a positive direction.

Mr. Fernandes said the biggest challenges that local business owners face is wearing a lot of different hats, such as having to be their own accountant, buyer and customer service representative.

"You're everything and you have to be flexible daily because you are the business," Mr. Fernandes said. "The challenge is to be diverse."

Mr. Fernandes said the Economic Development Committee is laying the groundwork for a Somerset Business Alliance that would do group advertising and provide discount cards.

"We're worried and we care about the future of our town," Mr. Fernandes said. "We're worried, too. We share the residents' concern about the future and we do what we can to bring new businesses to town."

Steve Silverman, the chairman of the Economic Development Committee, will be offering 20 percent off at his dry cleaning business, called The Press Club, on Route 6 for Small Business Day.

Mr. Silverman said the local business owners are an integral part of the town and many of them live in Somerset. He noted that they give donations to a lot of organizations around Somerset.

"We support everything in the community," Mr. Silverman, who has owned The Press Club for more than 20 years, said.

Mr. Costa said part of the aim of the "Shop Local" day is to get people aware of all of different businesses in town, because he said he thinks that people may not know all of what is available to them in Somerset.

"We do have a lot more than what they think of, besides going out and getting pizza," Mr. Costa said.

Mr. Costa small businesses are the heart of the country and said the Economic Development Committee wants to have an event similar to the "Shop Local" day on a quarterly basis.

"This is not a one-time deal," Mr. Costa said. "We have to continue to do this."

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